Halloween is an exciting time for millions of children, filled with costumes, decorations, and of course—sweets! But for families managing food allergies, Halloween can bring extra worries. With so many treats containing common allergens like nuts, dairy, gluten, or eggs, the simple act of trick-or-treating can feel like navigating a minefield. However, with some planning and creativity, Halloween can still be just as fun and safe for everyone.
Based on our experience here at TrustDish, here are our recommended essential tips to help kids with food allergies enjoy Halloween without the stress:
1. Stock Up on Safe Treats
One great way to ensure your child enjoys Halloween is to have allergy-friendly treats or small toys ready at home. After trick-or-treating, you can swap out any unsafe sweets your child might receive for safe alternatives. This also gives you a chance to teach your child about reading labels and identifying hidden allergens.
2. Enforce a “No Eating While Trick-or-Treating” Rule
As tempting as it is for kids to sneak a nibble of sweets along the way, enforcing a “no eating while trick-or-treating” rule is key. This gives you time to read the labels and check each treat before your child consumes anything.
3. Avoid Treats Without Ingredient Labels
It’s important to avoid any sweets or treats that don’t have a clear ingredient label, especially since even small amounts of allergens can cause reactions. Additionally, mini-size or fun-size versions of sweet treats may contain different ingredients than their full-size counterparts, so always check the labels.
4. Keep an Epinephrine Auto-Injector Handy
If your child has been prescribed an epinephrine auto-injector for severe allergies, be sure to carry it with you while trick-or-treating, just in case of an emergency.
5. Consider the ‘Teal Pumpkin Project’
One wonderful initiative that helps make HalloweeOne wonderful initiative that helps make Halloween more inclusive is the Teal Pumpkin Project. Homes that display a teal pumpkin are offering non-food items like toys or stickers, which are perfect for children with food allergies. You can participate by offering non-edible goodies at your house and spreading awareness in your community.
6. Have a Safe Treat Exchange or Party
Another great option is to host a Halloween party where all the treats are safe for your child. You can focus on games, costumes, and fun activities instead of just sweets. Or, consider starting a family tradition where your child leaves their unsafe treats out for the “Good Witch” to swap for safe treats and small gifts.
7. Deliver Goody Bags in Advance
If your neighbourhood is close-knit, consider delivering small goody bags to trusted neighbours ahead of time. Let them know what costume your child will be wearing, and encourage your child to trick-or-treat at those houses to ensure a safe and fun experience.
8. Recheck Labels Every Year
Even if a particular sweet has been safe in the past, manufacturers can change ingredients. So, it’s critical to read labels carefully every Halloween, even for familiar treats.
Keep Halloween Fun, Safe, and Inclusive
Remember that while candy is a part of Halloween, it’s not the whole story. Focus on making Halloween fun with costumes, decorations, and spooky activities. For children with food allergies, the night can be just as enjoyable with safe treats and a little extra planning.
From all of us at TrustDish, we wish you a happy, safe, and allergy-friendly Halloween!